"Suppose To Be a Christian!"

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come,

who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness,and will make

manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall 

every man have praise of God. ”

1 Corinthians 4:5

As I sat thinking to myself about knowing a Christian that was in, what I thought was, a practice of a sin. I asked myself how could that person do that and still be a Christian. Then on top of that be in the ministry? As I continued thinking God subtly revealed a sin that I was still being delivered from and as I began to feel guilty, He said I knew your sin before time and called you to the ministry and yet you still suffer in that area. Ephesians 2:10. If someone knew your sin would they possibly question your salvation?

God said, "My people often judge one another by the things that I am in the process of delivering them from. It's done from some pulpits, the pews, the grocery, on your jobs, school, everywhere and in every place that my gospel should be shared." 2 Corinthians 2:14. 

He said some of us are attempting to do what only He can do. James 4:12 God said to me, “My people see a gay person in church and say, “I can't believe he/she is sitting in church and know they are sinners”. Yet, I alone know their heart and see their struggle 1 Samuel 16:7. You don't know if or when they have or will receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior John 10:16. 

You don't realize that they may be saved and experiencing the battle with the spirit and the flesh. Romans 7:18-20 and not only with gay people but with alcoholics, drug addicts, whores, liars, gossipers, thieves, etc. I know what it will take to draw them nigh unto Me that I may draw nigh unto them that I may love them, take care, nurture, protect, deliver and keep them." 2 Peter 2:9 For it's not by your strength that you are kept but it's by my power. 1 Peter 1:5

Maybe a better word in this matter is condemn (sentence, convict). For when we look, as I was looking at the minister, I may actually have been condemning her. That is why the Spirit stopped me right in the midst of my thoughts!

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:17

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. ” 1 Corinthians 4:5

As Paul said in Romans 14:4. “Who art thou that judgest (condemns) another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

So just what is a “Supposed to be Christian”? All that have received Christ are now working out their own salvation (KJV) “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12, meaning that God is performing a work of purifying us daily Philippians 1:6. 

There are only Believers or Non-Believers, Christians or Non-Christians. The difference is not that you no longer sin, but your sins are covered and no longer held against you Psalm 32:1-2 but a non-believer’s sins are not covered.

In the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus was nailed to the cross there were those who passed by shouting and mocking Him questioning whether He was the Son of God. Matthew 27:39-44

If this was some of us passing by Jesus, you probably would have said some of the same things, maybe even worse. Something like, 

• “The bible says cursed is he who hangs on the tree. Look at Him going around and acting like He was God's Son, now tell me why they put him on that tree. 

• Girl, I heard he was a wino and he always hung out with the wrong crowd Luke 7:34. 

• I don't even believe he healed any of those people. Remember that man's son who was a lunatic and He said He cast out a devil, child I believe Jesus knocked that man down, talking about He was slain in the spirit .Luke 9:38-39; Luke 9:42 

• Those people had already seen doctors like that woman with the issue of blood Luke 8:43. 

• Girl, didn't he heal you? Well, now that I see him on that tree I believe he lied about that. God healed me not Him! John 10:30 

• Ain't no way God would let nobody do that to his Son. Girl, his fellow thieves on those other trees have even turned against Him. Didn't they say he once hung out with them too?”

Jesus hung on the cross and everything about Him looked like a criminal but He was actually the Messiah, Our Lord and Savior! The person that you are judging may look like a criminal but may be the very person Jesus hung on the cross for and took his/her place. Opps! That was you! It was all of us that are Christians who are followers of Christ. As followers we should follow His example for He came not to judge but to save ALL. John 12:46-47

"So let’s stop condemning (judging) each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall." Romans 14:13 NLT

God says, "________________ (insert your name) are you a stumbling block to those who you think are not of my flock? No longer allow Satan to use you as an instrument that will cause my children to doubt who they are in me or if they are even worthy of my love. Pray for them and be sensitive to the Spirit when I call on you to speak a Word of life and not death."

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[Just in case some of you are wondering what is my sin that God showed me while I was looking at the minister, well just follow the message and pray for me.] (Smile)

Today's Prayer

Dear Most Gracious Father God,

We come before you with humble hearts, thanking you for loving us and sending your only begotten Son to die for us that we might live! Forgive us for the times we have judged others. 

Search us and show us those things that are not pleasing to you. Only you can reveal them, for there are some things that we might be deceiving ourselves in. Help us be followers of Christ that we may encourage one another and draw those to Christ who have not received Him.

It's in Jesus' name and for His name's sake that we pray. Amen!

 (Now make it personal)

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